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Bryan Berns
ECE 350-1
Job Market Memo
600 Words
February 2, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON
MEMORANDUM
TO: James Roger Black, Instructor
FROM:Bryan Berns, Student
DATE:February 2, 2004
SUBJECT: Overview of Electrical Engineering Job Market
As you requested, the following is a researched report on the electrical engineering job market. The research covers recent and future trends, specifically in the United States. I have also included my personal recommendations on how one may seek employment in such a market.
Recent Trends
The overall job market for electrical engineering has steadily declined for the last half decade. According to data compiled by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the third quarter of 2003 electrical engineeringunemployment:
- increased .3 percent from the second quarter.
- increased by 37,000eligible workers from the second quarter.
- is six times higher than 5 years ago.
These increases are contrary to the statistics for all engineers, for which the overall unemployment fell by .1 percent in the third quarter. Statistics gathered from the Engineering Career Services center show only 45 of 108 electrical engineering graduates reported obtaining job in electrical field during 2003.
Future Trends
A variety of reliable sources have mixed opinions about future trends of employment for electrical engineers. Some groups such as IEEE-USA are becoming proactive to secure domestic jobs. They claim companies are farming cheap technical labor into the country via exploitation of the H-1B visa. If the proposed changes are made to this visa, it could increase employment opportunities for U.S. citizens in the next few years.
Similarly, many companies are outsourcing work to Asia. The Wall Street Journal reports IBM and AOL will be moving a variety of technical jobs over to India and China during 2004. Unless the global economy suddenly collapses, it does not appear this trend will change in the near future.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the electrical engineering industry will increase “about as fast as the average”. However, this forecast is relatively outdated and they will be releasing updated statistics within the next two weeks. It will be available on their website:
Finding Employment
Many market observers such Diversity/Careers magazine are convinced electrical engineering jobs do exist, even in this diminished market. Engineers seeking employment need to open to relocation, field diversification, and slight salary limitations.
The internet is an invaluable resource for finding job opportunities, as there are new postings everyday. Aside from directly applying for a job, many large employers offer a database to which candidates may add their resumes. The company can then search for qualified engineers to fill new positions. However, such conveniences should never be substituted for personal fortitude;it is important to show a perspective employer your dedication and initiative.
Anunfortunate side effect of internet job seekingis the inability to represent oneself on a personal level. Such attributes as charisma are difficult to demonstrate on a resume or cover letter. For this reason, it is important to write the best cover letter and resume possible. References can also be a major factor; Career Journal, owned by the Wall Street Journal, reports “about half of all checked references fall into the mediocre to poor category”.
Overall, persistence seems to be the key in finding an employer. Until you are hired, finding a job is your temporary, unpaid occupation. This may mean long and tedious days of searching through the local classifieds and internet postings, but it will pay off in the end.